Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Commanders get massive Jayden Daniels update ahead of Vikings game

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Dec 5, 2025 1:16 PM ET

While it may be too little, too late, the Washington Commanders are getting close to full strength on offense.

Just one week after the return of its star receiver, Terry McLaurin, Washington received good news about the status of its superstar quarterback for Week 14.

Jayden Daniels will start Sunday

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn announced Friday that last year's NFL Rookie of the Year, Jayden Daniels, will start Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.

Daniels has been out of action since Week 10, when he suffered a dislocated elbow in the fourth quarter of a blowout loss. The injury appeared much worse than it turned out to be, and Daniels will now return to the field at full strength against Minnesota.

HC Dan Quinn confirmed that Jayden Daniels will start Sunday vs. the Vikings pic.twitter.com/mLFYcwuwbC
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) December 5, 2025

Should Daniels even be playing?

Injury issues were a concern for Daniels coming out of college, and those have appeared multiple times this season.

He was forced to miss games in the early part of the season due to a hamstring injury. The elbow injury shortly after only furthered the concern of Commanders fans regarding their franchise quarterback.

There is an argument to be made that Washington should sit Daniels out for the remainder of the season to prevent further injury. It would appear, though, as if Quinn and the rest of the coaching staff are on the other side of that argument and want him on the field.

Tough matchup in return

Daniels will have his work cut out for him, as he'll be up against a stingy Vikings defense. Minnesota's pass defense ranks No. 5 in the NFL, allowing just 178.4 yards per game.

It'll be interesting to see how Daniels and the Washington offense navigate through four quarters in his first game back in five weeks.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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